Peele succeeded current Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall after the 2007 season and won the Big South Conference tournament championship in 2008 and 2010. However, the Eagles had back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1997 and 1998.

Winthrop fell to VMI in the Big South tournament last Thursday to finish 12-20.

Peele spent three years on Marshall’s staff at Winthrop before taking the head job.

Hickman said the team had underachieved the past two seasons and change in leadership was needed to spark the program.